Gayosphere Gayzette Monthly Email Gay Travel Newsletter
GAYOSPHERE GAYZETTE  -  DECEMBER 2014
 Editor’s Triangle

We made it through Thanksgiving, and now we’re in the final stretch to Christmas and New Year’s. In this issue of the Gayosphere Gayzette we find out that country music is not as straight as we might think it is, “Jack” says I do, and Hedwig is back in a big way. We also spotlight Whistler, British Columbia and their upcoming Pride and Ski Festival, a travel show in Madrid with a dedicated LGBT focus, and a gay owned tour operator offering packages around the world. Andy Warhol is back and teaming up with Absolut Vodka to help you through the holidays, and if you don’t have New Year’s plans yet we’ll let you know about a grand party happening in Vegas. Finally, we have exclusive news of a chain of elder care facilities about to break ground in the new year.

We here at Gayosphere and FunMaps wish everyone a safe and happy holiday season, and look forward to bringing your more exciting updates in 2015. As always, thanks for reading and safe travels wherever you may end up.

Bryen Dunn,
Gayosphere Gayzette Editor


LGBT Pop Culture Icon Hedwig and the Angry Inch come to Broadway

Pop Culture
It seems coming out country was all the rage last month, as two big names in country music publicly announced that they were gay. First it was chart topper Ty Herndon, a practicing Christian from Alabama, who divulged his relationship with his long-time partner on national television. He was quoted as saying he did it to let kids know that “they can be loved by God, they can be married one day, they can have a family, and they can give their parents grandkids. And they are not broken, they’re not sinners, and they are perfectly beautiful.” A day later child prodigy turned superstar stud Billy Gillman came out via a Youtube post, hoping that his fans are understanding of his decision and will stick by him as he continues his musical career. He also made mention of his relationship which he’s been in for half a year. In other news, Will and Grace’s Sean Hayes (Jack) married his partner of eight years Scott Icenogle, and John Cameron Mitchell is going to be playing the lead role in his Broadway production of Hedwig and the Angry Inch in New York City starting January 21st.


Whistler LGBT Pride and Canadian Gay Ski Festival

Destination Spotlight
The ski and snowboard village of Whistler, British Columbia is located less than a two hour drive from Vancouver. Whistler Pride and Ski Festival takes place January 24th to 31st, and is a combination of Sports, Culinary, Wellness and spectacular Social and Cultural events. Organizers state there are over 3,000 gay men and women from 26 nations who attend annually. The festival offers a robust programming schedule that includes daily Après Ski (Happy Hour) social events, early evening programming like Comedy Shows featuring Margaret Cho, and late night parties like the themed Cowboy Party to genre specific parties for the Bears, Lesbians and Circuit Boys. Non-skiers have the option of Snowmobile Tours, Ziplining, Snowshoe Treks, Inner Tube sliding, spa treatments, and some incredible culinary adventures.Stay + Ski packages starting at $138 per person per night. Book online or call 1.866.787.1966 or Tourism Whistler at 1-800-Whistler. Buy your festival tickets today.


Annual Gay International LGBT Tourism Trade Show and Expo FITUR

Travel and Tourism
FITUR is an annual International Trade and Tourism show that happens in Madrid, happening this year January 28th to February 1st, 2015. This year the organization is celebrating the 5th anniversary of FITUR Gay, with an exclusive section for LGBT suppliers to host workshops and present their offerings, along with a new dedicated web portal. The fair will be open to suppliers, buyers, and the general public, and will also include a variety of entertainment such as musicals, performers, and DJ’s.


LGBT Tour Operator Zoom Vacations


LGBT Tour Operator Zoom Vacations

LGBT Tour Operator Spotlight
Zoom Vacations is a gay owned and operated tour operator that has been offering tours around the world for several years. As destinations have become more accepting of LGBT tourism, the amount of tour offerings has also increased. Each tour is full guided and includes accommodations, transfers, and some meals and attractions. The company recently announced that their popular Peru tour will now also operate in April, in addition to their annual Thanksgiving departure. The 8-day itinerary goes through the cultural heart of Lima, charming Cusco, and the Valley of the Incas, all world heritage sites. Of course no visit to Peru would be complete without seeing one of the world's most important archaeological sites, the ancient mystical city of Machu Picchu. Participants stay at the best luxury hotels and experience the most innovative cuisine around the country. Prices start at $4999.00.


Absolut Vodka proudly announces its Limited Edition Andy Warhol bottle

Holiday Libations
Absolut Vodka proudly announced the Limited Edition Andy Warhol bottle, a new design celebrating the brand’s iconic collaboration with the illustrious Andy Warhol. In 1986, Andy Warhol became the first in a long line of celebrated artists to collaborate with Absolut, when he created an original piece inspired by his adoration of the brand’s iconic bottle. This fall, Absolut brings Warhol’s creative vision into the 21st century, by transforming his artwork into a three-dimensional bottle, allowing anyone to “Make the Holidays Pop” with their very own Warhol. The Warhol Limited Edition bottle design is black with blue, pink and yellow details – replicating Andy Warhol’s original Absolut Warhol painting. The limited edition features approximately four million bottles, which will be distributed worldwide. To support the launch of the Warhol Limited Edition bottle of Absolut Original, Absolut is launching two transformative consumer-facing initiatives: the Warhol Spirit and the Andy Warhol Art Exchange.

Havana Nightclub Aerialist at Evolve Las Vegas Gay New Years Eve Party

New Year's Eve
For those looking to bring in the New Year in the most decadent way, Evolve Las Vegas seems to be one of the premiere party events this year, and is being billed as the “first international gay new year’s eve celebration.”  There will be receptions, extravagant parties, special appearances, and of course all the debauchery The Strip has to offer with drinking, dining, and gambling. This three-day party begins on December 30th with a VIP Opening Reception, tickets to Zumanity by Cirque du Soleil, and late night Kick-Off Party at Liason, the newest gay nightclub in the city. The next day is there are a variety of excursions that include the Grand Canyon, hiking in Red Rock Canyon, flying in a night helicopter over the famed Las Vegas Blvd, or enjoying the technology of Hoover Dam. At night it’s the party of the year counting down on New Year’s Eve at Havana Nightclub. On New Year’s Day it’s time to recover or get out and explore local attractions such as Mob Museum in Old Vegas, The High Roller at the Linq, the VooDoo Zipline at The Rio, or Madame Tussauds at The Venetian. The final evening will be Divas Las Vegas Show and the Official After-Party at SHARE Nightclub. Various packages are available, and the host hotel is the recently renovated MGM Grand. Visit the Evolve website for all the details.

LGBT elder care and gay retirement and assisted living residences

LGBT Elder Care
Finally it’s just been announced that there are plans to break ground in January 2015 on the first of a national chain of retirement and assisted living residences specifically for the LGBT market. This would be particularly appealing to the aging demographic of snowbirds currently visiting on an annual basis, and perhaps looking to permanently relocate in later years. This initiative is being spearheaded by the owners of Pineapple Point in Fort Lauderdale, with the first one being built in that city.

The Fine Print
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